As part of the International Potato Tour, a new project has launched—a podcast series titled “Potato 2.0,” dedicated to an in-depth analysis of the potato industry. The first country reviewed was the Kyrgyz Republic. Host Viktor Kovalev gathered key market experts at one table: Kairgul Kozlaeva, Head of the Potato Cluster Association of the Kyrgyz Republic; Alexander Kolodyazhny, CEO of the agro-industrial company “Kirbi”; and Nailya Abdullaeva, Head of the crop protection products distributor “Avgust”.
During the conversation, the specialists discussed the region’s hidden potential, the current challenges facing farmers, and the threats posed by an open market.
Current State: Small-Scale Farming and the Shift to Intensive Technologies
According to official data, approximately 74,000 hectares of land were allocated for potato farming in Kyrgyzstan in 2026. The expected production volume is over one million tons.
- Market Structure: The industry is characterized by pronounced small-scale production. Almost 95% of producers are small farmers with plots ranging from 50 ares (0.5 hectares) to 50 hectares. There are very few large farms in the country, such as the advanced company “Kirbi”.
- Technological Shift: Despite a reduction in sown areas over the past 10 years, production volumes remain stable. This indicates that farmers are increasingly transitioning to modern technologies.
- Crop Protection: Agrarians are gradually moving away from manual weeding in favor of chemical crop protection products (CPP). Manufacturers and suppliers of CPP regularly hold educational seminars, which significantly improves the farmers’ expertise.
As Alexander Kolodyazhny notes, the intensity of chemical treatments is constantly growing. This is due to a complex set of reasons: from the development of pest resistance to strict market demands that force farmers to increase yields and product quality in order to maintain profit margins.
Kyrgyzstan’s Mountains — An Ideal Base for Seed Production
Experts identify the development of domestic seed production as one of the main growth points for the republic.
- Unique Climate: The natural and climatic conditions of Kyrgyzstan allow potatoes to be grown at altitudes ranging from 2,000 to 3,000 meters above sea level (in the Naryn and Issyk-Kul regions, as well as the Pamir Mountains). In such environments, high-quality, virus-free seed material can be successfully cultivated.
- Dependence on Imports: Currently, all of Central Asia, including Kyrgyzstan, is heavily dependent on European seeds. Annually, more than 2,000 tons of seed potatoes are imported into the republic from Germany and Holland.
The state actively supports import substitution initiatives. Agricultural producers are exempt from certain taxes. State lands and preferential financing are provided to those who are ready to build capacity and participate in cluster associations. However, the lack of a domestic scientific base and a national certification system remains a serious barrier—farmers currently have to rely on the services of Russian laboratories.
Market Challenges: Chinese Expansion and the Overproduction Trap
Despite positive trends, the industry is under intense external pressure. Over the past two years, cheap imported potatoes from China have critically affected the profitability of local farmers.
“Everything has gone up in price: fertilizers, chemicals, seeds, transport… The cost of production is growing. And now, a huge risk is the Chinese market. Given that we are in an open market, under certain circumstances, the production base could simply be lost in two to three years,” the discussion participants emphasize.
In response to this threat, the cluster association is preparing an appeal to the government requesting a temporary ban or a review of import privileges on Chinese potatoes in order to protect domestic producers.
On his end, podcast host Viktor Kovalev warns farmers against another danger—the blind pursuit of volume at the expense of quality. According to him, the emergence of modern storage facilities has led to farmers learning to store “bad potatoes” (with scab or mechanical damage) until spring. By attempting to sell low-quality goods, they inadvertently crash market prices, harming the entire industry. “Better a slight deficit than a massive surplus,” the host concludes.
A Vision for the Next 10 Years: From Self-Sufficiency to Export
How do market participants envision the future of Kyrgyzstan’s potato industry in ten years?
- The development of a robust seed production sector.
- An increase in the share of eco-friendly products.
- The launch of deep processing facilities, such as the production of chips and french fries.
- A shift in focus from domestic consumption to exporting high-quality table and seed potatoes to neighboring countries.
In conclusion, the experts agree: to realize this ambitious plan, the industry requires the cooperation of all market participants, a careful approach to product quality, and a clear understanding of the demands of the final buyer.
